Biology

Physiology

Magikarp is a reddish-orange, medium-sized fish. Its notable characteristics include large, heavy scales. Its fins are primarily white, but it has two stiff, three-peaked fins on its back and stomach which are both yellow. It also has long yellow barbels.

Gender differences

A female has white barbels and a male has tan ones. The male also has a slightly bigger light band on its forehead compared to the female, suggesting it is slightly larger.

Special abilities

Long-lived Magikarp are able to utilize their immense splashing power to leap high enough to jump mountains. Magikarp also have a strong enough immune system to survive in the most polluted of waters.

Behavior

Although this Pokémon is capable of surviving in even the most polluted ponds, it is usually overlooked by trainers because it is pathetically weak: even in the heat of battle it will do nothing but flop around. It is not a strong swimmer, and currents in the water will sweep it downstream. They are normally seen using Splash, which is unusual, as it makes them easy targets to predators. Before the species multiplied, it is believed that the ancestors of Magikarp were actually much stronger than the Magikarp seen today, and this belief has led scientists to research this species.

Habitat

Magikarp is found in many bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, and ponds. However, due to its weak swimming ability it usually lives downstream of the water's flow. Magikarp are extremely plentiful, living in almost any region. No one really knows how this Pokémon survived, however.

Diet

In the anime

A giant Magikarp in the anime

Major appearances

Several episodes, the first one being in Battle Aboard the St. Anne, involve a particular salesman trying to sell certain Pokémon to someone. The person he is usually trying to con is James and he usually sells Magikarp, claiming that they're very valuable.

In The Joy of Pokémon, a Nurse Joy from the Orange Islands befriended a giant Magikarp that saved her as a child. It evolved into an equally large Gyarados, but it remained friendly.

Magikarp is virtually useless in battle as it can only splash around. As a result, it is considered to be weak. However, it is actually a very hardy Pokémon that can survive in any body of water no matter how polluted it is.

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Trivia

As of Pokémon Platinum, Magikarp is tied at the lowest (with Regigigas), and ironically, the highest level non-glitch Pokémon available for capture at level 1 and 100, beating out even the level 80 Arceus for highest. It is only available in a pond in the Resort Area with a Super Rod in Platinum, where only Magikarp can be caught and range in levels anywhere from level 1 to 100.

Magikarp, as well as Gyarados, has been in all four regional Pokédexes.

Even though Magikarp is said to be the weakest Pokémon in existence, there are seven Pokémon weaker than it and one equal to it in terms of base stat average.

Magikarp shares the same species name with Feebas. They are both known as the Fish Pokémon.

Even though it's listed as a freshwater Pokémon, Magikarp are found in oceans as well.

Magikarp takes the shortest time to hatch out of all Pokémon.

Every one of Magikarp's Pokédex entries talks about either its lack of strength, its tendency to Splash, or both.

Magikarp's FireRed Pokédex entry remarks on its lack of power and speed. While the power part is true, Magikarp in fact sports a base 80 speed stat, making it quite fast.

The Pokédex entries for Magikarp in Gold and HeartGold versions and Platinum version contradict each other; Gold and HeartGold versions says that Magikarp never jumps more than seven feet, whereas Platinum version states that it may jump over a mountain. However, the Platinum entry specifies using Splash, while HeartGold is referring to it jumping without aid.

Magikarp is the only Pokémon that can learn attacking moves but can't get STAB on any of them.

Magikarp is one of the most common pokemon in the game, found everywhere it is possible to fish.

This could be a reference to how several species of asian carp are overly-successful invasive species, threatening ecosystems especially in the United States.

Origin

Magikarp is based on a legend about how carp that leapt over the Dragon Gate would become dragons. Several waterfalls and cataracts in China are believed to be the location of the Dragon Gate. This legend is an allegory of the drive and efforts needed to overcome obstacles. This may have inspired an element in Pokémon Snap, where after certain steps are taken, a Magikarp will splash its way into a waterfall where it evolves.

Magikarp may also be based on Asian carps, which are easily frightened by disturbances in water and can jump 8-10 feet in the air.

Name origin

Magikarp's name is a combination of magic and carp (this may be mocking the Magikarp as a species, as someone with 'magic' powers is generally thought to be quite powerful, which Magikarp is not). It may also the combination of Magi, the three kings from the story of the Nativity, and carp. Its Japanese name is a combination of 鯉 koi, carp, and the English word king, giving its name an ironic slant similar to its English name.